by Amy | Apr 18, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects
Okay guys. I did it. I’ve officially parted with my T-shirt collection. Which is a pretty big deal. Why do T-shirts hold such power over us? Like that 5K we walked in won’t exist if we don’t keep the T-shirt. Or we won’t remember anything about high school if we ever toss the shirt we got senior year on that marketing trip.
I don’t use my T’s any more. I used to work out in them…but since I teach so many classes these days I’ve accumulated a very nice collection of professional fitness gear. So I weeded out my T-shirts. Nearly all of them.
And I didn’t stop there…the more I put in the “get-rid-of” pile the easier it was to add to it. I really weeded the proverbial clothing garden in my closet. Anything that I didn’t wear this winter=gone. Things that don’t fit=gone. Things that I want to like, but never really do once their on=gone.
Add in the garbage bag full of clothes that Derek set aside for the “pass on pile,” our closet is looking pretty good. {It’ll look better in May…we are having some construction done!! But that’s a different post.}
Why, oh why did I pick this week, of all weeks to purge my closet? I’ll tell you…tomorrow…I head to Minneapolis…to go to the MOA! Yes, that’s right, The Mall of America, baby! I will never, ever buy more than I am tossing, but I will buy. I’ll buy things from this decade, things that fit, things that look like post-college.
Even if you aren’t going to the MOA {sorry for your luck} I bet you have some things to get rid of. And I was serious when I said it’s easier once you start. You’ll see. Try it. You’ll feel better without all that excess. I pinky swear.
For tips on getting organized this spring go check out Kuzak’s Closet. Amanda is a blogger buddy of mine and she totally rocks…her tips will have you whipped into shape in no time.
Amy
PS…this is the only kind of purging I encourage. You are beautiful just the way you are.
by Amy | Apr 17, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects
I’ve had lots of people inquiring about how my chair is coming. Honestly? Really good.
It’s been stripped down and restuffed. Now I’ll show you how to do it. This part is easy…as long as you are patient and take good notes.
Today we’ll look at the five easy steps it takes to get that fabric off and get the cushy padding on.
That’s right. The first tool you’ll need is a Sharpie. You’ll be taking the fabric all off, so don’t be shy. Write all over your piece. Everywhere you see a seam: label. Make notes. Note what side is up, where decorative brads are, etc.
Once your piece is fully labeled it’s time to remove. Start by finding a seam. Upholstery has very little sewing involved. Most seams will be held together by staples or nails. As you can see, my chair was already falling apart, so it was a good place to begin.
Keep that Sharpie handy, though. As you remove each piece, number it. Then when it is time to cut new fabric and reassemble, you’ll put them back on in reverse order. On chairs the back is usually one of the last pieces on, so it will be one of the first to come off.
Take care as you remove. You’ll want each piece fully intact, with as little tearing as possible. The best way to pattern for your unique piece of furniture is by patterning after the fabric that comes off.
Tip: I used a small chisel for prying off stubborn upholstery tacks.
Tip: Remove as many tacks and nails as possible…this will make it easier to add new tacks later.
Step three is easy. You’ll have a naked chair. {A friend recently told me if I ever open a brewery it should be called the Naked Chair after seeing this guy…funny, right?
Take a look at your piece’s bones. Shake it. Is it rickety? Are there loose nails? Did you get all the upholstery nails out that you possibly could? Should you repaint the legs? Are the springs good?
If your furniture seems shady in any way, now is the time to fix it.
Now we start to make this baby comfy. I used two types of padding: cotton mat and 1″ foam upholstery batting. The fabric covering the thin layer of padding over the springs was last to come off, so it is the first thing to address.
I put the cotton over the burlap covering the springs, then a layer of foam {left image.} Tuck it into the sides. Then I covered that with fabric. I used the nasty, super-worn original fabric as a template for the new covering. Although this fabric is cute, it will be hidden under the seat cushion…still a pleasant surprise when you search the cushions for Waffle Cone Wednesday change.
Start by nailing the fabric to the front edge. {You can also use a good stapler.} If you are using nails, make sure you invest in a package of upholstery tacks. They are specifically made for holding this kind of stuff in place. After the front is secure, go to the back. Pull the fabric as taut as possible and nail down.
Repeat the process on the sides.
Okay, just like getting dressed…you need to put on underwear before you get dressed up. That’s what the padding does for the chair.
I conveniently numbered the order of the pieces I put in place. Seat was first. After that, put a thin layer over the front of the arm rests. Rule of thumb: Make the parts you lean on/sit on the softest.
#3, cover the arms. I doubled my 1″ foam for this part. Then cover the exterior side panels. Then the front.
Some of the padding may get too thick for using upholstery tacks. In that case, just use small, thin nails. For parts that have thin padding, use tacks. Either way, you’ll want to use enough tacks to keep things firmly in place. No one likes a shifty arm rest.
When it came to the chair back I really wanted to add some pad. I cut a piece of 2.5″ high density foam to cover the chair back, then a layer of cotton mat on top of that.
Last is padding to soften the edges of the top of the chair. I left the back totally open, since I’ll need to access it to add buttons later.
And there you have it! One stripped and repadded chair. Hopefully it’ll be totally done next week and I’ll have a B&A to show off.
Amy
by Amy | Apr 16, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects
Today’s adventure? Snow removal and stuffing replacement.
When I came home last night {about 9:30 pm} the snow was falling hard as ever. And it kept falling all night. And all morning. When it had finally let up I made a move to go out and shovel…only to find that we had received nearly a foot. 10 inches to be exact. But where snow drifts are concerned, nothing is exact.
I have one word for all of that: Woof.
This was the absolute hardest shoveling I’ve done all season. So heavy, so deep. I only cleared what I needed to get my car out and a single shovel width path down the sidewalk. I know, that’s the cheap move. It took nearly an hour and my sweatshirt was drenched in sweat by the time I came in. I think I may have hurt my back a bit too. It was seizing up all afternoon. Yuck.
Since Derek left I have really been fine, but I did miss him fiercely today. Not in the sense that I only want him around to do the heavy work…that’s not it at all. Instead, because I really felt his absence today. Our routine was unable to go on. If he was home, he’d have shoveled last night, then again early this morning. He doesn’t do it because I nag him to. Just because he enjoys taking care of me. And it’s a way to allow him to care for me.
Bummer.
So I came is sweaty and gross and bummed. Then 15 minutes later I heard a snow blower unusually close. I looked out and found my sweet neighbor Henry clearing my driveway. Even the stack of snow I’d piled on the unused part of the drive.
I needed to leave so I went out and thanked him. He assured me it was no big deal and that the work wasn’t too much for his heart. {He had a heart attack in the fall…but is the time that refuses to quit working for even a minute.} Your prayers are being felt my friends. This isn’t the first time divine intervention has stepped in right when I needed it most. Your prayers are getting me through this time.
As for my second adventure: AKA the first project of spring…well, take a look.
I spent the rest of my down time today replacing the stuffing. In fact, I’ll be completing that task as soon as I finish writing you tonight. {I should really get back on a schedule for writing…but that’s an adventure for another day.}
Tomorrow I’ll show you how to repad a naked chair. Until then I’ll be cleaning up the mess I’ve made.
Amy
by Amy | Apr 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Adventure
I don’t think I need to say much. There were rumors {at least I had hoped they were rumors} about snow coming our way…but this is ridiculous. In case you didn’t know the date, it is April 14th.
Today I went to the Minot High School spring play. The key word is spring. Newsflash, this doesn’t look like spring. When I went in to the play it was barely snowing. When I came out I could barely see.
I’ve been home for a few hours now. The snow has yet to lighten up. Locals say this is atypical. And I really hope so. Welcome to my first Practically Canadian “spring.”
by Amy | Apr 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
You know how sometimes I decide to start something on a whim?
Well, today I dove into a project that’s been on my mind for a long time. Years even. I’ve been ready, but always put it off because it wasn’t a top priority. I had other more pressing issues…like broken water heaters, ugly bathrooms or hideous built ins to address first.
Well today after editing so many photos I was sure my eyes would start bleeding, I tackled that put-off project. Or…at least I started to tackle.
Here is the victim:
Age: About 55
Weight: Heavy enough that I have to grunt to pick it up
Status: Single, not part of a set…acquired from Derek’s grandmother’s estate.
I fell in love with this chair the first moment I saw it. The lines, those brads. It’s a classic piece. The fact that it is heavy and solid is a testament to its quality. The downside is that the upholstery is falling apart. The back is ripped, the seams are coming unnailed, stuffing is beginning to fall out of the loose seams. It’s gotten a little worse for the ware over the last few years and four moves. So, my friends, it is time.
I’m reupholstering!
I’ve only dabbled in the art until now. This is my first “real” piece of furniture. Up to this point I’ve only done seat covers and an ottoman.
Step one is to remove the old upholstery…being careful to keep it in full pieces in order to make a pattern later. This part proved more difficult than I had imagined. Proof of that is in the fact that I didn’t get it all removed in the two hours I ripped away this afternoon. And let me tell you, getting the upholstery off of this gem is gross work.
As I freed the fabric from the arm rests and seat a shower of decades old debris rained down on the floor. Seriously gross. Retro bobby pins, dried up rubber bands, change, candy wrappers, pocket lint, and dirt poured on to my floor. This is what I swept up after I finished for the day.
Upon examining the mess, I decided maybe this wasn’t the best project to do in the living room. I mean, I have a basement, why not make use?
Let’s just say that story didn’t end well. After grunting like Serena Williams in a heated tennis match I got the chair to the basement door, only to find that it doesn’t fit. By the time I reached that conclusion I had lifted, pushed, hoisted above the dishwasher, twisted and jiggled. To no avail.
All that to say, this project will take place in the living room. At least this way I’ll have to see it every day and be encouraged to finish it quick.
Can’t wait to keep you posted. This could be great…or a total fail. We’ll have to wait and see.
Amy
by Amy | Apr 12, 2013 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
I often have wondered what life would be like if my schedule allowed me to pursue the use of all my God-given gifts. While I can be decisive when it comes to picking a restaurant, travel plans, or say…a new cake stand, my life’s work is up in the air. Maybe that’s not the best way to phrase that. What I mean is, I wasn’t very good at choosing a career. I thought I would be, but there are just so many, many interesting things in the world…how is a girl supposed to choose a favorite?
My days are filled with adventure. Some things stay the same…a few things are stable {I do like stability} but my lifestyle allows for lots of flexibility. I like that.
I work as a fitness instructor at a local gym. It’s perfect work for me because I never have to do the same thing twice. I also work as a photographer. Which is also perfect because no two images are alike, no two sessions are the same. Outside of those two things I really let my mind and heart roam free. I wonder a lot, which is odd, since Google kind of took away the need for wonder. I wonder about random things, people things, adventurous things, future things, past things. Wondering is fun.
Anyway, back to my original wonder. What would life be like if I could pursue the use of all my God-given gifts?
I’m finding out.
This month I have “yessed” my way along. When I’ve heard someone mention the need for help with something that I can do I’ve said “yes.” These weeks have been busy…but the promise of an adventure filled season is on the horizon. And the craziest part is that somehow as I offer up my skills in service to others it’s all fit in. I am feeling a little tinsy bit stressed, but it’s good. I wanted to fill up my lonely evenings and boy have I.
This is a season of pursuit. A season of adventure. I can feel it.
So my question to you is this: How can you use your gifts? What are you wondering? Sometimes we think…”There aren’t enough hours in the day.” I think there are just enough. Twenty-four seems to be just the right amount, any more and we’d all be more burnt out than we already are. Any less and our schedules would feel even tighter. I think Goldie Locks said it best when she tried out momma bear’s bed, “It’s juuusst right.”
There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you are insanely talented and gifted beyond measure. Ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to share your awesome. He will. It won’t cost you anything…except maybe an episode or two of your favorite prime time shows.
Think about the wonderful things He has caused you to wonder about…put feelers out and find out something new. Over the past few years I’ve learned that the thing that holds us back strongest is usually ourselves. Take yourself off the leash and be amazed at just how much you can experience/accomplish/do. As I tell my fitness classes…”Try it. If you hate it, you can always stop and modify.”
Amy
by Amy | Apr 10, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Design
This is going to be a summer of letter writing. Writing more letters was on my list of to-do’s for 2013…I just wasn’t expecting this kind of push to get me to act on it. But alas…here we are. Yes, we do live in a world of Skype, Face Time, email, and Facebook. Yet, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t get giddy when a real life letter shows up in the mail box. Am I right?
There is something so special about a letter. It’s a piece of the person who sent it. Their handwriting. Their pen. It’s a piece of someone you love that shows up in a tiny box outside your house. For the low, low cost of $0.46. It’s really so very special.
And writing only becomes more fun when you have fun stationary to write on. So…without further ado…I give you
The Great Stationary Giveaway of 2013!
What does that mean? Well, put simply, I’m encouraging all of us to write more letters this summer by giving away custom stationary to all of you lovelies!
The top two examples are obviously fit for anyone. The bottom examples are specially crafted for my Minot spouses also flying solo for a while. {The icons in the lower left corners are Minot area landmarks…}
So what do you need to do to snag some swag? Easy peasy. The Minot Special is free to download. You can get the file here…Minot Stationary and Minot Stationary Horse. These measure 8.5×11 inches. Once you have the file saved insert it as a “picture from file” to a Word document. Resize it to fit and print it out.
The initial stationary is a little trickier since not all of us have names that start with “A.” To get your hands on some custom stationary you must do the following. I promise it’s easy.
1. Give the “Amy Allender” page a like on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment on the wall or drop me a private message with your what initial you’d like and an email where I can send it. Also let me know which design you choose. {Arrows or confetti}
If you are already a follower just write a comment on the wall or a message. I’ll give you the hook up.
Just an FYI…the initial stationary is sized 5.5×8.5″…so you can fit two on a page. Enjoy! Start liking! But act quick, the Great Stationary Giveaway ends on April 24th, 2013.
Amy
This post is linked up at Home Stories and these great parties.
by Amy | Apr 8, 2013 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Projects
It occurred to me yesterday that Derek has been gone a whole week and I hadn’t done a single project. I know, me–alone–unsupervised. That’s a combination that has project written all over it. But alas, I didn’t get into a single bit of trouble last week.
So I decided to change all that. I sat down last night and did a quick makeover I’ve had on my mind for months now. It took about 10 minutes to complete and I love the way it looks. And if I ever decide I don’t like it…I can always revert to the original. Check it out.
Right before Derek and I got married we had each lost grandparents. This sad event turned into a blessing for us young newlyweds. We had two estates to look through and “shop” for things for our home together. The greatest part is that now our home is filled with things that constantly remind us of our grandparents.
One of the things lifted from Derek’s grandmother’s home was a pair of floral lamps. In our current house we don’t have room to have both lamps out at once. So the one lamp has lived lonely on a side table at the foot of our stairs since last July. For a few months now the lamp has been staring at me, just asking for an update.
It took a bit to come up with a way to modify it without permanently changing it. Finally I decided on summering it up a little with a rope-wrap and a new shade.
I bought a package of Manila rope from Menard’s and simply wrapped it around the lamp. I used hot glue to secure it to the lamp. If we want to revert back I’ll just remove the rope and peel off the glue.
What can you wrap in rope? My answer…anything. Anything solid or with a glossy finish can be wrapped and removed. Just put a little hot glue on it and see if it peels up clean. Rope says nautical. Nautical says summer!
Amy
PS…see you tomorrow for another adventure.
This post is linked up at Home Stories and these great parties.
